A NEW shop selling home decor and gifts in St Johns had its grand opening last week.

So Chics Boutique opened last Friday (April 1) after a month of renovations.

The store, located at 53 St John's, opposite the British Red Cross Shop, is sells items such as clocks, vases, cards, gifts and wrapping papers.

City councillors have welcomed the new shop amid fears that St John's could lose its reputation as a retail centre with the loss of Co-op supermarket.

Donna Davis, the owner of So Chics Boutique, has been working "day and night" getting the store ready to go.

Worcester News: Donna Davis, owner of So Chic's Boutique.Donna Davis, owner of So Chic's Boutique.

She said: " There were a lot of mixed emotions on the build-up to the opening day. I was excited but also nervous about the turnout on the first day.

"We promoted a lot on our Facebook page and had over 79 customers through the door on the first day which was amazing."

Donna wanted to put her own unique stamp on the shop, with Donna previously stating she wanted the store to be "flamboyant and memorable".

READ MORE: New home décor shop coming to St John's

She said: "I am really happy with how it all came together.

"I had an image in my head for how I wanted the store to look and it has certainly exceeded that."

She wanted to open the store after noticing a gap in the market for homely goods in St John's, with local mums saying to Donna that they did not like having to go to town for home goods.

Worcester News: Interior of So Chic's Boutique.Interior of So Chic's Boutique.

The store's opening comes a week before the closure of the St John's Co-op. 

Councillor Robyn Norfolk was delighted to hear the news that So Chics Boutique had opened.

Cllr Norfolk said: "I was sad I was not able to make the opening but it is amazing to see local people open local shops in St John's.

"With the co-op closing, it has been an incredibly sad time to see an institution depart after such a long time so this is a welcome opening.

"As councillors, we have been trying to get St John's considered as a valuable retail centre and we are in discussion with the developers to try and retain the retail value as much as possible that we know St John's has."